5 Ingredient Vegan Dinners That Take 15 Minutes

Healthy, Delicious, and Unbelievably Fast

Life is busy. After a long day, the thought of cooking a complicated meal can be completely overwhelming. But that doesn't mean you have to resort to expensive takeout or processed frozen meals. With a few smart ingredients, you can whip up a satisfying and healthy vegan dinner in just 15 minutes.

These 5-ingredient vegan recipes rely on pantry staples and simple, fresh components to deliver maximum flavor with minimum effort. They are perfect for a quick vegan dinner on a busy weeknight.

Note: We're not counting salt, pepper, and oil as ingredients—we assume you have those on hand!

1. Creamy Tomato and White Bean Pasta

• The 5 Ingredients:

  1. Pasta of your choice (use fresh pasta for a 5-minute cook time!)
  2. A can of cannellini beans
  3. A jar of your favorite marinara or tomato-basil sauce
  4. A bag of fresh spinach
  5. Garlic (minced)

• The Method:

  1. Boil the pasta according to package directions.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a splash of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the marinara sauce and the rinsed and drained cannellini beans to the pan. Heat through for 3-4 minutes.
  4. A minute before draining the pasta, throw the spinach into the pasta water to wilt it.
  5. Drain the pasta and spinach, return to the pot, and pour over the bean and tomato sauce. Stir to combine.

2. 15-Minute Black Bean Tacos

• The 5 Ingredients:

  1. A can of black beans
  2. Taco seasoning packet
  3. A bag of frozen corn
  4. Salsa
  5. Corn or flour tortillas

• The Method:

  1. Pour the entire can of black beans (undrained) into a small saucepan. Add the taco seasoning and a half cup of frozen corn.
  2. Simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened.
  3. Warm the tortillas in the microwave or a dry pan.
  4. Spoon the black bean mixture into the warm tortillas and top with your favorite salsa. (Avocado or vegan sour cream are great additions if you have them!)

3. Speedy Peanut Noodles

• The 5 Ingredients:

  1. A package of instant ramen or soba noodles (discard the flavor packet)
  2. Peanut butter
  3. Soy sauce (or tamari)
  4. A bag of frozen shelled edamame
  5. Sesame seeds

• The Method:

  1. Cook the noodles according to the package. Add the frozen edamame to the boiling water for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
  2. While the noodles cook, whisk together 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 3-4 tablespoons of hot water to create a smooth sauce.
  3. Drain the noodles and edamame and toss them with the peanut sauce.
  4. Top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

These simple plant-based recipes prove that you don't need a lot of time or a long list of fancy ingredients to create healthy budget meals that are both satisfying and delicious.